The 2025 K-World Dream Awards (KWDA) wrapped up on August 21 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul. What began in 2017 as the Soribada Best K-Music Awards has since evolved through various rebrandings, most recently adopting its current title in 2024.
Best Artist awards went to Stray Kids and IVE following a year of chart-topping releases and sold-out world tours. Rising groups AHOF, Hearts2Hearts, KiiiKiii, and KickFlip won the Super Rookie Awards. Five winners for the Best Album Awards were announced days ahead of the ceremony.
The Group Popularity Award, decided solely by global fan voting, was claimed by Stray Kids and UNIS. Both groups earned the honor after their fandoms rallied millions of votes before the August 11 cutoff. Other notable recognitions included Paul Kim, who won Listener’s Choice, and Kang Daniel, who took home All-Rounder Musician.
Performances by Stray Kids, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, IVE, and CRAVITY lit up the stadium with powerful choreography and live vocals. New-generation groups like ILLIT, NEWBEAT, and NCT WISH delivered high-energy sets that showcased the future of K-pop. Fans were also treated to special stages from soloists Kang Daniel, Park Seo Jin, and Paul Kim.
Veteran MCs Jun Hyun Moo and Jang Do Yeon guided the event with humor and warmth. Presenters Byeon Woo Seok, Ryu Kyung Soo, Mun Ka Young, Jung Yu Mi, Shin Ji Yeon, and more handed out awards to the night’s winners.
For international fans, the KWDA was broadcast live on HelloLive, with additional access in Japan via U-NEXT. The blue carpet ceremony began at 16:30 KST, followed by the main event at 18:30 KST. Fans who missed the live show can still watch the replay, available for purchase from August 22 to September 4, with streaming access running from September 4 to September 7.
2025 K-World Dream Awards Winners
2025 KDWA winners include
Girl Group Best Artist Award
- IVE
Boy Group Best Artist Award
- Stray Kids
Bonsang
- ILLIT
- NCT WISH
- LE SSERAFIM
- Stray Kids
- IVE
- TXT
Best Album
- SEVENTEEN
- ENHYPEN
- NCT DREAM
- aespa
- PLAVE
Group Popularity Award
- Stray Kids
- UNIS
Solo Artist Popularity Award
- Wonyoung of IVE
K-World Class Award
- LE SSERAFIM
- Stray Kids
- TXT
- IVE
Global Music Artist Awards
- TXT
Journalist Pick Artist Award
- LE SSERAFIM
- NCT WISH
Best Band
- Lucy
- Xdinary Heroes
Best Performance
- FIFTY FIFTY
- NCT WISH
- CRAVITY
Super Rookie Award
- AHOF
- Hearts2Hearts
- KiiiKiiii
- KickFlip
Best Music Video
- ILLIT
- tripleS
Best Music
- IU
- DAY6
- Rosé of BLACKPINK
- G-Dragon
All-Rounder Musician
- Kang Daniel
Best OST
- HUNTR/X (fictional group from Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters)
Listener’s Choice
- Paul Kim
- BTOB
Congratulations to the winners!
